Tonight’s event, which marks Strikeforce’s debut on Showtime, features a headline bout between former Strikeforce middleweight champ Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz at a catch-weight of 179 pounds.

Round-by-round coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the night’s main card.

In addition to Shamrock vs. Diaz, tonight’s card features an interim lightweight title fight of Gilbert Melendez vs. Rodrigo Damm. Other bouts include Benji Radach vs. Scott Smith and Ron “Abongo” Humphrey vs. Brett Rogers. Additionally, though she failed to make weight for the event Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will meet Hitomi Akano in a featured women’s bout.

As always you can discuss tonight’s event in the comments section below, or join fellow fight fans in the MMAjunkie.com MMA Forums. Additionally, stay tuned to MMAjunkie.com after the show for full post-event coverage.

Enjoy the fights everyone.

* * * *

The crowd is still finding its way to the arena as the night’s opening fighters are announced.

SHINGO KOHARA VS. JEREMY TAVARES

Round 1 – A touch of gloves gets us underway. Tavares start with a leaping jab, then throws a high kick and shoots in. Kohara falls into Tavares’ guard but stands right back up. As the two clinch, again Tavares pulls guard, though Kohara quickly passes. Sensing danger Tavres eats a few shots but scrambles back out and to top position. Kohara gets close with an arm bar attempt, and the small crowd voices their pleasure. Tavares remains calm, pulling his arm out. He’s safe for the moment, but Kohara tries a second time. Tavares uses the missed attempt to move to side control. Tavares walks Kohara to the cage and sets up in top position delivering blows until the round ends. It’s a close round, but MMAjunkie gives it to Tavares, 10-9.

Round 2 – As the second frame opens, Tavares looks to shoot again immediately. Kohara times the move perfectly, and a crushing knee to the face of his shooting opponent drops Tavares immediately. Kohara walks away without delivering an additional blow as Tavares is immobile on the mat. Shingo Kahara def. Jeremy Tavares via knockout (knee) – Round 2, 0:04.

Tavares remained motionless on the canvas for several moments, but left the cage under his own power to a warm applause from the still-scattered crowd.

ZAC BUCIA VS. JAMES TERRY

Round 1 – Referee “Big” John McCarthy gives the final instructions to the fighters, and the two California natives receive mixed welcomes from various pockets of the San Jose crowd. A touch of gloves gets us started. Terry opens with a high kick, but the move is blocked. Bucia backs away as Terry chases. Terry clinches up, pushes Bucia against the cage and wrestles him to the floor. Bucia pulls guard briefly, but stands again before any offense can be mounted. Terry tries a trip, but Bucia stays balanced and pushes away. Terry holds the center of the cage as Bucia circles. Bucia throws a high kick that is blocked, and Terry throws him to the floor, immediately moving to side control. Terry controls, but offers no offense from the top. Terry lifts his left leg over looking for mount, but has to settle for half of the position. Still opting to wrestle rather than strike, Terry backs away, hold Bucia’s legs down and pushes back to side control. Bucia scrambles and regains guard. Terry finally throws a punch from the top after Bucia strikes softly from the bottom. Terry stands and offers a few more punches as time expires. MMAjunkie.com gives the round to Terry, 10-9.

Round 2 – The touch gloves to open the second, and Bucia immediately throws a 1-2, followed by a low kick. Terry offers a few jabs in response. The two circle, and each throw a series of alternating low kicks. Terry shoots in, but the telegraphed advance is easily blocked. A quick second effort works, and Bucia is forced to pull guard. Terry wrestles again, and with Bucia comfortable he tries for an arm bar. Terry picks his opponent up, slams out of the hold and moves to side control. Terry again rides his opponent from top position, briefly trapping Bucia in a crucifix position, though he quickly releases the arm. The crowd begins to ask for the stand-up as Bucia works back to guard. Less than a minute remaining and Terry still riding Bucia. MCCarthy does restart the two, but Terry puts it immediately back to the floor. Bucia had the sub attempt, but Terry earns the round with two takedowns and control, 10-9 for MMAjunkie.com.

Round 3 – The final frame starts with a quick touch of gloves. Terry circles Bucia, who paws at him with a few jabs and a snapping low kick. Terry continues to circle, first left, then right. Terry scores with a straight right hand, then a left that backs Bucia to the cage. But Terry elects to throw a kick to the body and back away. Circling again, Terry scores with a left hook to the top of Bucia’s head. Bucia far too patient considering the score, and Terry comfortable to keep a safe distance. Terry clinches briefly, looking for a hip toss. But backs away when unsuccessful. Terry follows with a stiff 1-2, then grabs a double-leg and dumps Bucia to the cage floor. Terry again in side control with two minutes remaining. Bucia tries to slide and roll, but Terry has his weight well in place, chest to chest. McCarthy watching the action closely with a minute remaining, but deems the “action” just enough to leave the fighters in place. Terry tries meekly to pass to mount, instead moving back to side control. Terry stands when the 10-second warning is issued, and Bucia chases to no avail. Terry takes it on the MMAjunkie.com card 10-9, and 30-27 in the contest.James Terry def. Zak Bucia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

In a comical moment, as the scores were being announced in Bucia’s favor, the losing fighter reached over, touched the in-cage announcer on the arm, and pointed him toward the CSAC officials looking to correct the mistake. The scores were then re-announced in Terry’s favor.

RAUL CASTILLO VS. BRANDON MICHAELS

The arena is now approximately half-full. Tito Ortiz causes a stir as he makes his way cageside.

Round 1 – Michaels opens with a jab as Castillo circles around him. Castillo fakes a right hand and drops to a quick double-leg takedown. The move works, and Castillo sets up in Michaels’s half-guard. Castillo works quickly to side control, though Michaels is able to regain the left leg back into half-guard. Castillo slides out, moves to mount, and opens up a flurry of punches from the top. Michaels rolls to avoid eating the damage, and Castillo locks in the rear-naked choke. With Castillo’s hooks in, Michaels is trapped. The tap comes swiftly, and referee Herb Dean halts the contest.Raul Castillo def. Brandon Michaels via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:45.

Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral is now cageside as well. Seated 11 seats to Ortiz’s left, the two quickly exchange glances then look away. Jake Shields has also made his way into the crowd.

WAYLON KENNELL VS. ERIC LAWSON

Round 1 – Lawson starts with a series of jabs, then eats a counter right when he misses with a wild left hook. Unfazed, Lawson rushed in behind a flurry of straight punches. The two clinch as chants of, “Let’s go Lawson fill the arena.” The two trade knees on the inside, bu Lawson is able to work the fight to the floor with a toss. Kennell regains his composure and stands back up. Two right uppercuts score for Lawson and Kennell hits the floor. Lawson pounces and Kennell tosses his legs up, pulling guard. Lawson scores with a few shots on the floor but stands back up. Kennell throws a few wild, looping shots, but Lawson reverts to the clinch. Lawson again scores up the middle, but this time Kennell answers with a 1-2 of his own. Lawson looks fatigues as he ducks away. The two fall to the floor in a scramble, and Kennell tries an arm bar. Lawson scrambles out of the hold, but Kennell rolls and tries again. The arm is deeply locked, but Kennell has the elbow pointed the wrong way. Despite full extension, Lawson doesn’t have to tap. Instead, he rolls out, moves to mount and begins to ground-and-pound from the top. The blows are soft, with little steam behind them. McCarthy watches closely as time is winding down. Just when it seems Kennell will survive to see the second, McCarthy decides he’s seen enough. It’s an entertaining round. Eric Lawson def. Waylon Kennell via TKO (punches from mount) – Round 1, 4:54.

With 55 minutes remaining until the Showtime broadcast begins, the fighters for the evening’s final preliminary card bout make their way to the cage. The HP Pavilion is approximately 65 percent full, with the majority of the open seats in the arena’s upper level.

BUCK MEREDITH VS. LUKE ROCKHOLD

Round 1 – Meredith receives a chorus of boos, while Rockhold is warmly received. Referee Josh Rosenthal starts the action, and the two touch gloves. Rockhold opens with a smooth left high kick, then a second to the body. Both are checked. Meredith circles away as Rockhold chases. Rockhold closes the gap and clinches, then grabs a double-leg and slams Meredith to the floor. Rockhold starts in half-guard, then moves to advance. Meredith rolls and Rockhold takes the back. Rockhold wraps his legs securely around Merdith’s body, but is unable to work his arms into positon for a choke. Meredith rolls again, but can’t work free. Rockhold releases body control and Meredith turtles. Rockhold sinks in the choke and drags Meredith backwards falling to his own back in the process. He can’t quite get the rear-naked choke to work, but secures Meredith’s arm next to his head as he tries to wiggle free. Still secure on Meredith’s back, Rockhold now has an arm-triangle choke locked in from the back position. With the hooks in, Meredith has nowhere to go and is forced to tap. Luke Rockhold def. Buck Meredith via submission (head and arm choke) – Round 1, 4:07.

The event is currently in intermission. The arena is buzzing, and the concourses are full. The inevitable confrontation between Ortiz and Sobral finally occurs, though the two are quickly separated after some brief chatter. The in-cage action starts again at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Andre Arlovski is announced as a cageside guest, as are Bas Rutten, Alistair Overeem, Kevin Randleman and Gina Carano.

As the TapouT crew makes their way cageside, Jimmy Lennon Jr. leads the HP Pavilion in a moment of silence while a ceremonial 10-count is chimed on the timekeeper’s bell.

RON “ABONGO” HUMPHREY VS. BRETT ROGERS

Round 1 –
The nearly full arena gives a warm welcome to the evening’s first two televised combatants. Referee Herb Dean gives the two sluggers their final instructions, and the crowd senses the potential fireworks. Humphrey throws a few quick jabs and a low kick. Rogers misses with a haymaker. Humphrey lands a few snapping, awkward kicks as he tries to keep his distance. Rogers clinches briefly, but Humphrey is intelligently sliding away. Rogers closes the gap again, scoring a series of heavy punches in close. Humphrey scores with a right to the guy, dancing around. Rogers clinches, scoring with the knee up the middle. Rogers slips as he advances and Humphrey tries to grab the neck. He settles for a Thai clinch halfway through the round. Humphrey backs away and Rogers score a solid punch. A series of knees score for Rogers, but the action is halted twice in succession to warn him for holding Humphrey’s hair. Rogers again closes the distance and connects on a series of stiff knees and punches. But Rogers is again deemed guilt of holding the hair, and Dean takes a point. The crowd disapproves as they sensed an impending finish from Rogers. The two trade on the restart, but Humphrey has been given time to recover. The round ends with a flurry, and MMAjunkie.com scores it 9-9 with the penalty.

Round 2 – Humphrey misses early and Rogers rushes in. The two tie up and Rogers is warned for grabbing the fence as Humphrey tries for the takedown. Humphrey scores with punches to the gut, but Rogers brings up a series of brutal knees. Humphrey is wobbled but hanging on. Rogers is again warned for holding the hair, but he refuses to release the clinch, punishing Humphrey with brutal knees to the face. Humphrey is bleeding from the nose and mouth. Rogers scores another knee up the middle, releases the clinch, and scores with three stiff punches. The final blow topples “Abongo.” With Humphrey collapsed in a heap against the cage, Dean calls a halt to the bout. Brett Rogers def. Ron “Abongo” Humphrey via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:38.

HITOMI AKANO VS. CRISTIANE “CYBORG” SANTOS

Round 1 – In the fight that almost wasn’t, referee Josh Rosenthal starts the women’s bout. A touch of gloves, and it is Akano that opens with a slapping kick Santos pounces with a strong flurry of rapid-fore left and right hands, the clinches and suplexes Akano to the floor. Akano pulls guard after missing on an early arm bar attempt. Santos pushes Akano down with her left hand and delivers a few rights. After repeating the process, Santos backs away. Akano stands and Santos catches a kick, throwing Akano to the floor. This time Santos refuses to follow. Akano stands and circles as As Santos stalks. Akano tries to clinch, slides off and Santos scores with two kicks to the body. A flurry of punches from Santos ends the round, which MMAjunkie.com sees for Santos, 10-9.

Round 2 –
Akano dancing away,a nd Santos scores two left kicks to the leg. After a third scores, Akano shoots in and misses. Santos throws a wild right while Akano is floored, but then backs away. Santos looking ot pick her shots, and Akano moving away. A left hand rocks Akano who is allowing herself to be trapped against the cage. Akano catches a left hand anad drops to the floor, immediately looking for an arm bar. Santos instead throws several stiff blows, and Akano close her guard. Akano tries to hold Santos close, but the Brazilian drops in a few hammer fists. Akano opens her guard, but Santos passes to side control and punishes her opponent with right hands. The round ends as Santos flurries, and MMAjunkie.com sees it again for Santos, 10-9.

Round 3 – Akano drops to her back, but Santos won’t have it. A few stiff punches rock Akano and she starts to crumble. Akano moves away, but Santos is relentless. The end appears inevitable. Akano tries to shoot, but Santos shoves her off. Santos scores with straight left and right hands. Akano turns her back, but Santos presses the issue. A knee up the middle connects. A few more powerful right hands find their mark and Akano drops. Rosenthal halts the contest. Cris “Cyborg” Santos def. Hitomi Akano via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 0:35.

BENJI RADACH VS. SCOTT SMITH

Round 1 –
Radach’s pink shorts make a stark contrast to the impending violence. The two trade cautious jabs to open. A right hand scores for Radach. Smith moving forward, and Radach swinging with heavy counter right hands that miss. Smith throws a combo, finished off with a kick that Radach catches but releases. Radach scoring as he circles away, and stiff left finds a home. Smith holds the center of the cage. Radach circling, looking for angles. Radach leaps in with a left. then misses with a right. Smith chases as Radach stumbles, but nothing serious scores. Smith does land a right hand up the middle, but the pace is surprisingly patient. The two are locked in a technical boxing match, but that quickly changes. Smith drops Radach, and scrambles to return to his feet. Wounded, Radach blasts Smith with a left hook, who falls to the canvas. Smith seems lost, and Radach pounces. A flurry comes, but Smith protects his head, buying time. Radach works it to the floor, as both need time to recover. MMAjunkie.com sees a highly entertaining round for Radach, 10-9.

Round 2 – The two quickly clinch, and Smith pushes Radach to the cage. Radach has overhooks, and the action briefly stalls. Dean calls for action and the two push away. Pace slows a bit, but both fighters have their hands high and a little spring in the step. Smith seems the more tentative of the two, and Radach works in jabs when he can. Radach misses with a leaping knee, and the two reset. A series of punches stun Smith, who drops for a leg. He scrambles back to his feet and Radach locks in a guillotine. Smith has an arm in, and outlasts the hold. Two minutes remain as Smith pops free. Each clinch briefly and the action again stalls. Both resting, and Dean restarts it. Dean checks on Smith before restarting the action. Smith says he’s OK, but the offense has trailed off dramatically. Radach returns to patiently picking apart Smith, scoring with jabs. Radach respects Smith’s power, staying away as he strikes from the outside. The round ends, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Radach, 10-8.

Round 3 – Smith seems to have a bit more pep, and opens up on the attack. Radach still scoring with left and right hands in spots. Smith scores with a flurry, and now Radach finds his neck caught in a guillotine. Radach waits as Smith squeezes, then responds by elevating Smith high in the air before slamming him to the canvas. Radach holds Smith down, landing a few knees, but Dean calls for a restart. Three minutes remain and Smith goes on the attack. A series of straight right score as Radach is on the run. Smith pops out a few stiff jabs. Radach misses with a wild 1-2. Smith looking worn, but on the move. Smith traps Radach against the cage as he retreats and delivers a perfect right hand to the jaw. Radach collapses. Smith follows with another shot to his floored opponent, but Dean is already moving in to halt the bout. Scott Smith def. Benji Radach via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 3:24.

Strikeforce officials announce a crowd of 14,409 attendees for tonight’s event. Sections 218 to 226 of the upper level are curtained off, but the rest of the arena is completely full.

RODRIGO DAMM VS. GILBERT MELENDEZ

Round 1 – Hometown fighter Melendez gets a huge welcome form the San Jose crowd. Referee Josh Rosenthal gets the interim title fight started, and Melendez stalks Damm. Melendez offers a few jabs as Damm moves away. Damm misses with a spinning low kick, then connects with a second. Melendez uses the move to shove Damm to the floor. Damm pulls guard, and immediately starts to search for options. Damm’s head is trapped against the cage, but he looks to his left for a possible kimura. Nothing there, and Melendez remains on top, slipping in a few punches when he can. Damm ties Melendez’s arms, but Melendez works his leg free and pushes to half-mount. Damm scrambles and regains guard. Melendez continues to press down on Damm. A few punches find Damm’s ribs, and Damm seems to have little to offer from the bottom. MMAjunkie.com scores the round for Melendez, 10-9.

Between rounds, the attendance figure is updated to 15,211. Officials say it is “close, but not quite” a sell-out.

Round 2 –
Melendez circles, moving in and out of range. He shoots in, but Damm sprawls well and stands back up. A second shot is successful. Damm exposes his back as he falls to the ground, but he quickly returns to his feet. Melendez miss with a few wild, looping punches, but he has trapped Damm against the cage. Damm tries to move laterally, but has been cut off. Melendez passes on the shot and instead delivers a brutal 1-2. The left misses, but the right clips the jaw and drops Damm immediately. He’s out, but three more right hands follow before Rosenthal stops the contest. Gilbert Melendez def. Rodrigo Damm via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:02.

Damm remains on the floor, convulsing momentarily while battling the attendants hoping to assist him. He sits up a few minutes later and finally leaves the cage under his own power.

NICK DIAZ VS. FRANK SHAMROCK

Both fighters receive boisterous welcomes on their way to the cage. The roars for each are impressive, but the boos directed at both Diaz and Shamrock are also audible.

Round 1 – Diaz “mean mugs” while Shamrock smiles in the final instructions. The crowd is vocal as referee “Big” John McCarthy gets the action started. Diaz has his hands low to open, then showboats a bit right away. Shamrock scores with a few leg kicks as Diaz holds him at bay with a right hand. The two hit the mat on a missed kick and Shamrock pulls guard. Diaz slides his legs aside and passes to half-mount, then eventually side control. Chants of “Diaz” fill the arena. Diaz misses with a kimura on the left arm, and Shamrock uses the chance to roll out and stand. Diaz keeps feeling with his right hand while occasionally throwing the left. Shamrock scores with a few combos, and Diaz taunts him by waving his chin. Shamrock misses with a kick and falls to the floor. Diaz pushes in and moves to side control, then quickly to mount. Shamrock covers up, his feet resting on the cage. Diaz throws a series of punches, though non connect to heavy. Shamrock rolls as time expires, and Diaz doesn’t have time to sink the choke. MMAjunkie.com sees it as all Diaz, 10-9.

Round 2 – Diaz scores with a left and starts to hang his chin for Shamrock. Shamrock answers with a right and dances away. Diaz continues to paw the right hand. Shamrock appears frustrated as he backs away. Diaz scores with a straight left, and nearly eats a wild right from Shamrock. Diaz completely in control of the pace and now appears unafraid to stand in front of Shamrock. Diaz utilizing his reach with straight hands and a kick from the outside. Shamrock stiff as Diaz scores with shots from all angles. Diaz drops his hands to his side and taunts Shamrock again. A right hand to the ribs drops Shamrock against the cage, and Diaz ponces and delivers a flurry of shots. The crowd senses the finish and Diaz delivers. Shamrock keeps his legs in front, but Diaz keeps the damage coming. McCarthy watches closely a the damage adds up, and he steps in to halt the contest. Diaz celebrates briefly, then helps Shamrock to his feet, raising his arm in a sign of good sportsmanship. Nick Diaz def. Frank Shamrock via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:57.

TORONTO – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s early and official UFC 206 fighter weigh-ins, which kick off at 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT). Join us for a live video stream and official results.

ALBANY, N.Y. – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC Fight Night 102 event at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., which kicks off at 5:45 p.m. ET (2:45 p.m. PT). You can discuss the event here.